TITLE:
Biochemical Estimation of Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Saudi Adults: Different Methods and Its Rationalization
AUTHORS:
Jummanah Jarullah, Soad AlJaouni, Mahesh C. Sharma, Bushra M. S. Jarullah
KEYWORDS:
Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase; Fluorescence; Semi-Quantitative & Quantitative
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.5 No.5,
April
2,
2014
ABSTRACT: Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the
most common human enzymopathy affecting 400 million people, globally. G6PD
deficiency is an X-linked genetic condition, which is more likely to affect
males than females. Heterozygous females go undetected in a commonly used
method. The aim of the study was to identify & rationalize different biochemical
methods for detections of G6PD deficiency. Methods: Cross section retrospective
study was conducted on 1584 (800 males, 784 females) blood samples collected
from King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) and King Fahd Armed force
hospital (KFAFH) in Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia. Blood samples were screened
for G6PD activity by fluorescence spot test, semi quantitative color reduction
test and spectrometric quantitative evaluation. Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured on
the same sample by BC-3200 Auto hematology Analyser. G6PD activity was recorded
as U/g Hb. Samples identified as deficient with cutoff ≤4.6 U/gHb. Results: The
prevalence of G6PD deficiency identified by fluorescence spot test was 73(4.6%)
and all were deficient male. By semi quantitative method, the prevalence rate
was 51(3.2%) and again all were male deficit patients. However, when quantitative spectrometric method was
used, the prevalence was found in 90(5.7%), where in 73(4.6%) deficient
patients were males and 17(1.1%) were females. Conclusion: Since the fluorescence
spot test did not miss any G6PD deficient male, it should be restricted to
males and quantitative test should be done on females. Each ethnic group should
cultivate their own cutoff value for categorization of deficient patients.